Page:Romance & Reality 2.pdf/51

Rh, that they really do both as if they were doing something very wrong. It is to be doubted whether Lord Etheringhame, after destroying some dozen sheets of paper, and pens the produce of a whole flock of geese, would not almost sooner have renounced his beautiful bride, than have had his letter to write—only that the former alternative was now the greater trouble of the two. "After all," said the unwilling writer, "I am only doing what Edward himself advised. I wish I had not been quite so positive when he was last here." All who hate letter-writing, particularly on disagreeable subjects, can sympathise with Lord Etheringhame. It is very pleasant to follow one's inclinations; but, unfortunately, we cannot follow them all. They are like the teeth sown by Cadmus; they spring up, get in each other's way, and fight. The letter was at length written and despatched;—then, as usual, came the after-thoughts of a thousand things left unsaid, or that might have been said so much better. Algernon started up;—man and horse were hurried after the epistle;—but time, tide, and